GREEN CARDS NO LONGER NEEDED

Valid Irish insurance discs will serve as proof of insurance for those driving in UK, including Northern Ireland, in event of ‘no deal’ Brexit

Green Cards will no longer be needed for those driving Irish registered vehicles in the UK, including Northern Ireland, if there is a ‘no deal’ Brexit. Valid Irish insurance discs will be accepted as proof of insurance for Irish registered vehicles, following detailed discussions between the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) and the UK Department of Transport.

In advance of the original Brexit deadline of 29th March 2019, the MIBI had cautioned that Green Cards would be required for all Irish registered motor vehicles travelling in the UK, including Northern Ireland, if a ‘no deal’ Brexit occurs. A Green Card is an internationally recognised insurance document which demonstrates to law enforcement agencies that valid motor insurance is in place.

The UK Department of Transport has now confirmed that law enforcement authorities in the UK, including Northern Ireland, will accept valid Irish insurance discs as proof of insurance for Irish registered vehicles.

In the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit, Green Cards will still be needed for UK registered vehicles visiting European Union countries, including Ireland.

As a continuing member of the EU, Ireland remains subject to the collective EU position. This will remain the case, until such time as the European Commission fixes a date under article 8(2) of the EU Motor Insurance Directive to allow UK vehicles enter the Green Card free circularisation zone.

The MIBI is a not for profit organisation that was established to compensate victims of road traffic accidents caused by uninsured and unidentified vehicles. The MIBI also acts as the Green Card Bureau in the Republic of Ireland.

Speaking about this development, MIBI Chief Executive, David Fitzgerald said, “This is really positive news which should come as a relief to anyone who needs to travel to the UK, including Northern Ireland. Valid Irish insurance discs will now serve the same purpose as Green Cards. Effectively that negates the need for additional documentation for any Irish registered vehicles travelling to the UK, including Northern Ireland, in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit.

“Earlier this year a lot of concern was expressed about the insurance recognition issues raised by the evolving Brexit situation. Suddenly drivers were faced with a new requirement for Green Cards in light of the UK’s potential exit from the European Union without an agreement.

“At that time the clear position was that if there was a ‘no deal’ Brexit then Green Cards would be required for all Irish registered vehicles travelling to the UK, including Northern Ireland. The UK will no longer be part of the European Union and therefore the insurance provisions whereby member states mutually recognise each other’s minimum compulsory insurance cover under the EU Motor Insurance Directive would no longer apply. The same requirements would relate to Irish registered vehicles as they would to German, French or Spanish vehicles travelling in the UK, including Northern Ireland.

“Thankfully, the UK has now confirmed that valid insurance discs meet the requirements set out in UK legislation and so can be used as proof of motor insurance cover in the UK. Therefore, a more streamlined process will apply for Irish registered vehicles with valid insurance discs. This should make insurance recognition much simpler for those travelling to the UK, including Northern Ireland, as well as for the law enforcement authorities in those jurisdictions,” Mr. Fitzgerald concluded.